Sean Gilmartin: A Comprehensive Biography of the Former MLB Pitcher

Sean Patrick Gilmartin has carved out a distinctive path from collegiate baseball stardom to Major League Baseball prominence, and now to a successful career in financial services. Best known for his tenure with the New York Mets during their memorable 2015 World Series run, Gilmartin’s journey represents dedication, resilience, and adaptability both on and off the field. This comprehensive biography explores his early life, professional career, personal relationships, and current endeavors.

Sean Gilmartin’s Early Life and Family Background

Sean Patrick Gilmartin was born on May 8, 1990, in Thousand Oaks, California, and was raised in the nearby city of Moorpark. Baseball runs deep in the Gilmartin family bloodline—his grandfather, father Paul J. Gilmartin (a chiropractor), brother, and two uncles all played Minor League Baseball. This rich baseball heritage created an environment where Sean was immersed in the sport from an early age, beginning his own baseball journey at just six years old.

Growing up in Southern California, Gilmartin attended Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino, where he developed into a prominent left-handed pitcher. During his junior year in 2007, he excelled as a closer, establishing a team record with nine saves and posting an impressive 2.24 ERA with 45 strikeouts in 34⅓ innings. His fastball reached the high 80s, and he demonstrated the mental toughness required for high-pressure situations.

His high school performance caught the attention of professional scouts, leading the San Diego Padres to select him in the 31st round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft. However, Gilmartin chose to pursue his education and baseball career at the collegiate level rather than signing immediately with a professional organization.

College Career at Florida State University

Gilmartin’s decision to attend Florida State University proved transformative for his development as a pitcher. He enrolled in 2009 and joined the Florida State Seminoles baseball team, where he quickly established himself as one of the premier pitchers in college baseball.

Freshman Success (2009)

As a true freshman in 2009, Gilmartin made an immediate impact on the national stage. He finished the season with an outstanding 12-3 record and a 3.49 ERA across 98.0 innings pitched, striking out 83 batters while walking 37. His performance ranked him fourth in the nation in wins.

For his exceptional freshman campaign, Gilmartin received multiple accolades:

• Named the 2009 Pro-Line Athletic NCBWA Freshman Pitcher of the Year

• Selected as the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Freshman of the Year

• Earned third-team All-America honors and freshman All-America recognition from Collegiate Baseball

• Became just the second freshman in Florida State history to earn first-team All-ACC honors

• Named to the NCAA Tallahassee All-Region Team

His contributions helped lead the Seminoles to a 45-18 record, the NCAA Tallahassee Regional Championship, and an appearance in the Super Regionals.

Sophomore and Junior Years

Gilmartin continued as a key member of the Seminoles’ pitching rotation throughout his college career. In 2010, both he and teammate John Gast were named to the watch list for the National Pitcher of the Year Award. That season, Gilmartin was part of the Florida State team that advanced to the College World Series, though the Seminoles faced challenges in Omaha.

His junior year in 2011 proved to be his finest collegiate season. Gilmartin posted a stellar 12-2 record with a 2.09 ERA, striking out 130 batters in what became a dominant campaign. He threw harder than in previous years, with his fastball reaching up to 92 mph, and he demonstrated improved command of all his pitches, including his Tom Glavine-like changeup, curveball (72-75 mph), and slider (79-81 mph).

For his junior performance, Gilmartin earned:

• First-team All-ACC honors

• First-team All-America recognition from three organizations and second-team honors from another

Over his three-year career at Florida State, Gilmartin compiled a remarkable 33-13 record with a 3.57 ERA and 321 strikeouts. His consistent excellence and refined pitching approach made him one of the top collegiate left-handed pitchers entering the 2011 MLB Draft.

Professional Baseball Career

Atlanta Braves (2011-2013)

Sean Gilmartin’s professional journey began when the Atlanta Braves selected him in the first round (28th overall) of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft with the 28th overall pick. On July 15, 2011, he signed with the Braves, receiving a signing bonus of $1.134 million, which matched MLB’s recommended slot bonus for that draft position.

Prior to the 2012 season, Baseball America ranked Gilmartin as the Braves’ fifth-best prospect. In 2012, he pitched for the Mississippi Braves of the Double-A Southern League, where he compiled a 3.54 ERA with 86 strikeouts over 119.1 innings across 20 starts. His performance earned him recognition as an MiLB.com Organization All-Star and Southern League Mid-Season and Post-Season All-Star honors.

Despite his promising start, Gilmartin faced inconsistencies and shoulder injuries during his time in the Atlanta farm system, which limited his performance and prevented him from reaching the major league level with the Braves.

Minnesota Twins (2013-2014)

On December 18, 2013, the Braves traded Gilmartin to the Minnesota Twins in exchange for Ryan Doumit. With the Twins organization in 2014, he pitched for both the Double-A New Britain Rock Cats and Triple-A Rochester Red Wings. With the Rock Cats, Gilmartin posted a 7-3 record with a 3.12 ERA in 12 games before moving to Triple-A, where he had a 4.28 ERA in 14 starts.

Despite being a former first-round pick, the Twins chose not to protect Gilmartin on their 40-man roster following the 2014 season, making him eligible for the Rule 5 Draft.

New York Mets (2015-2017): The Breakthrough Years

Rule 5 Draft Selection

On December 11, 2014, the New York Mets selected Sean Gilmartin from the Minnesota Twins in the Rule 5 Draft. As a Rule 5 selection, the Mets were required to keep Gilmartin on their active 25-man roster for the entire 2015 season or offer him back to the Twins. This “use him or lose him” scenario provided Gilmartin with a unique opportunity to prove himself at the major league level.

2015: Rookie Success and World Series Run

Gilmartin made his MLB debut on April 10, 2015, against the Atlanta Braves—the team that originally drafted him. He pitched 0.2 innings and recorded his first major league strikeout in what proved to be a promising start to his career.

The 2015 season became the defining year of Gilmartin’s professional career. Working primarily as a left-handed reliever, he appeared in 50 games (including one start) and compiled exceptional statistics:

• 3-2 record with a 2.67 ERA

• 57.1 innings pitched

• 54 strikeouts to only 18 walks

• 8.5 strikeouts per nine innings

• Only two home runs allowed all season

• 2.46 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching)

His outstanding rookie performance helped solidify the Mets’ bullpen during their remarkable run to the National League pennant. When the Mets reached the World Series against the Kansas City Royals, Gilmartin made a postseason appearance in Game Two, retiring both batters he faced. Though the Mets ultimately fell to the Royals, Gilmartin’s contributions throughout the season were instrumental to the team’s success.

Gilmartin’s 0.7 fWAR ranked him 21st among all National League relievers in 2015, demonstrating his positive value to the organization. He became one of the most successful Rule 5 Draft picks in recent Mets history.

2016-2017: Struggles and Departure

Unfortunately, Gilmartin was unable to replicate his rookie success. In 2016, he regressed significantly, posting a 7.13 ERA over 17.2 innings in limited appearances. In 2017, his opportunities became even more scarce, and in June of that year, the Mets designated him for assignment and subsequently sent him to the minors. The St. Louis Cardinals claimed Gilmartin off waivers, ending his tenure with the Mets organization.

Over his three seasons with New York, Gilmartin compiled 81 career MLB appearances (three starts) with a 4-5 record, 4.34 ERA, and 90 strikeouts over 112.0 innings.

Baltimore Orioles (2018-2019)

Gilmartin signed with the Baltimore Orioles and appeared in 12 games during the 2018 season, posting a 3.00 ERA over 27 innings—a return to form that suggested he might recapture his 2015 success. However, in 2019, he made only one appearance, starting a game in which he allowed five runs in just 2.1 innings, resulting in a 19.29 ERA. He was subsequently designated for assignment and cleared waivers, accepting an outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk.

Tampa Bay Rays (2020) and Final Professional Years

Gilmartin signed with the Tampa Bay Rays for the 2020 season. He made two relief appearances during the shortened COVID-19 season, pitching 4.1 innings with an 8.31 ERA and five strikeouts. He was designated for assignment in September 2020 and accepted an outright assignment to the Rays’ alternate training site.

In June 2021, Gilmartin signed a minor-league contract with the Minnesota Twins, returning to the organization that had traded him away years earlier. He reported to the Twins’ minor league system, pitching for both the Florida Complex League Twins and the Double-A Wichita Wind Surge. However, on November 7, 2021, Gilmartin elected free agency, effectively ending his professional baseball career.

Before rejoining the Twins organization, Gilmartin had spent time with the Long Island Ducks of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in 2021.

Career Statistics Summary

Over his six seasons in Major League Baseball (2015-2020), Sean Gilmartin appeared in 81 games with:

• 4-5 win-loss record

• 4.34 ERA

• 112.0 innings pitched

• 90 strikeouts

• 1.42 WHIP

In the minor leagues, he appeared in 189 games (124 starts) with a 42-42 record, 4.49 ERA, and 628 strikeouts over 728.1 innings.

Sean Gilmartin’s Personal Life and Family

Marriage to Kayleigh McEnany

Sean Gilmartin’s personal life gained significant public attention through his marriage to Kayleigh McEnany, who served as the 33rd White House Press Secretary under President Donald Trump from April 2020 to January 2021. McEnany is currently a co-host on Fox News’ “Outnumbered”.

The couple’s love story began in 2015 when McEnany, then in her second year at Harvard Law School, came across Gilmartin’s profile on X (formerly Twitter). She was doing a summer job in New York City while Gilmartin was playing for the Mets. After reaching out to him on social media, they agreed to meet for dinner at a local restaurant called Southern Hospitality. They spent that summer together, and their relationship blossomed despite the challenges of maintaining a long-distance connection.

Following their first summer together, McEnany returned to Harvard to complete her law degree while Gilmartin continued his career with various baseball teams. The couple dated long-distance as both focused on advancing their respective careers.

On November 18, 2017, Sean Gilmartin and Kayleigh McEnany were married in a ceremony that reflected their shared Christian faith and close-knit family values. McEnany has frequently spoken about the strength of their relationship, crediting their Christian faith as the cornerstone of their marriage. She has described Gilmartin as “her greatest” support and “a rock” through the ups and downs of public life.

Support Through Health Challenges

Gilmartin played a crucial role in supporting McEnany through a significant health decision. McEnany discovered she carried the BRCA2 genetic mutation, which gave her an 84% chance of developing breast cancer. While she initially hesitated to undergo a preventative double mastectomy because she was single and uncertain about how it would affect her dating life, Gilmartin’s unwavering support gave her the confidence to proceed.

In her memoir “For Such a Time as This: My Faith Journey through the White House and Beyond,” McEnany wrote that Gilmartin “could not have been more reassuring, promising me that he would love me no matter what.” Six months after their wedding in 2018, McEnany underwent the preventative surgery.

Children and Family Life

Sean Gilmartin and Kayleigh McEnany have built a growing family together, with three children:

1. Blake Avery Gilmartin – Born in November 2019, their first daughter arrived while McEnany was serving as national press secretary during Trump’s 2020 presidential campaign

2. Nash Gilmartin – Born in December 2022, their son joined the family, expanding it to four

3. Avery Grace Gilmartin – Born on June 30, 2025, their third child and second daughter was welcomed just as McEnany announced during her pregnancy

The couple announced Avery Grace’s birth on Fox News’ “Outnumbered,” with McEnany’s co-host Emily Compagno sharing the joyful news and photos of the newborn. McEnany shared on social media that she and Gilmartin are “so in love with our new baby girl, Avery Grace! Blake and Nash love their baby sister, and we are enjoying this beautiful time in life!” She included a passage from Psalm 139:13-14 in her announcement, reflecting the family’s deep Christian faith.

The Gilmartin family initially settled in Tampa, Florida, seeking stability and normalcy away from the public spotlight. Despite the contrasting demands of their careers—McEnany’s as a political commentator and Gilmartin’s former life as a professional athlete—they have found ways to support each other and maintain a strong partnership built on mutual respect and shared values.

Post-Baseball Career

Transition to Financial Services

Following his retirement from professional baseball in 2021, Sean Gilmartin successfully transitioned to a career in financial services. He joined Morgan Stanley as a financial advisor, leveraging his experiences and connections built during his baseball career to help clients with their financial planning and investment needs.

This career transition demonstrates Gilmartin’s adaptability and business acumen. His years navigating the financial complexities of a professional sports career, combined with his educational background from Florida State University, positioned him well for success in the financial advisory industry.

Net Worth and Financial Success

Sean Gilmartin’s net worth is estimated to be between $2 million and $3 million USD. His wealth has been accumulated through multiple sources:

MLB Career Earnings

Gilmartin’s baseball career provided substantial income:

• 2011 Signing Bonus: $1.134 million from the Atlanta Braves

• 2015 MLB Salary: $507,500 with the New York Mets

• Additional salaries throughout his six-season MLB career (2015-2020)

• Minor league contracts and independent league earnings

Current Income

Since 2021, Gilmartin has earned income as a financial advisor with Morgan Stanley, adding to his accumulated wealth from his baseball career.

Family Financial Context

Gilmartin’s wife, Kayleigh McEnany, has her own successful career with an estimated net worth of approximately $1-2 million. During her time as White House Press Secretary, she earned around $183,000 annually. Her subsequent work with Fox News and book royalties from her memoir have contributed additional income to the household.

Sean Gilmartin’s Legacy and Impact

Sean Gilmartin’s baseball career, while not reaching the superstar level, represents a journey of perseverance and achievement. His 2015 season with the New York Mets stands as one of the most successful Rule 5 Draft pick performances in recent history, and his contributions to the team’s World Series run remain a proud chapter in his professional story.

Beyond baseball, Gilmartin has successfully navigated the challenging transition from professional athletics to a second career, demonstrating the importance of preparation and adaptability. His support of his wife during her prominent role in national politics, while maintaining his own professional identity, speaks to the strength of their partnership.

As a father of three young children and a successful financial advisor, Gilmartin has built a fulfilling life after baseball, grounded in the same values of hard work, dedication, and family that shaped his athletic career.

Conclusion

Sean Gilmartin’s journey from a baseball-loving child in California to a first-round draft pick, MLB pitcher, and successful financial professional exemplifies the American dream. His three-year excellence at Florida State University, breakthrough 2015 season with the New York Mets, and participation in the World Series created lasting memories for baseball fans.

Today, as a devoted husband to Kayleigh McEnany and father to Blake, Nash, and Avery Grace, Gilmartin has successfully transitioned from the pitcher’s mound to the financial advisory world, building a new chapter of success. His story reminds us that athletic careers, while often brief, can serve as a foundation for a lifetime of achievement when coupled with strong character, family values, and adaptability. With an estimated net worth of $2-3 million and a thriving career at Morgan Stanley, Sean Gilmartin continues to demonstrate the same determination and work ethic that made him a successful professional athlete.

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